I'm a complete noob to Linux in general, much less Puppy, although I did manage to install from a LiveCD. I've been using my Pup (Wary 5.2) for a couple months now, and apart from Jscripts freezing Firefox 4 (and occasionally crashing FF, as well as freezing X), it's been fun.

That said, I need to install a printer (in subj line), and I ALMOST have it, but it's still missing something. I followed Brother's instructions, and also some cmd info from an Ubuntu forum that seemed to help. So far, jobs sent to the printer cause it to 'wake up', heat up the toner bar and turn on the fan and whatnot, and the Ready light flashes several times, but then stops, and no printing does it make!

Here's what I've done so far:
* Followed instrux at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1627516
* Followed Cupswrapper info at http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public_s/id/linux/en/instruction_prn1a.html
* Followed instrux to install ppd file (http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public_s/id/linux/en/instruction_prn1c.html)

I'd provide a screen shot of the installed printers page, but... please see line 1 of this message. particularly the first eight words. CUPS does seem to "know" the printer is there, but whatever it's sending the printer isn't getting printed.

I've done a search here on the forum, and found several threads about installing printers, most of which is a rehash of Brother's own instrux.

Any suggestions? Even pointing me to a beginner's *nix tutorial, Puppy-specific or not, would be much appreciated.

rcrsn51, You're a prince. I had to delete the other installed instances of the printer, then shut off and restart CUPS and re-find the printer. I did get the test page out! However, I cannot print from either Geany or AbiWord. (the latter always makes me think of Marty Feldman saying, "Abby... someone.")

When I open a file with either program, then select "Print", I go through all the necessary selections, then hit "Print". The Ready light on the printer flashes once, and that's it. No fan, no warming, no nothing.

Interesting note: when I just opened CUPS, the message by the printer says, "/usr/lib/cups/filter/pdftops failed". What is 'pdftops'? On a lark, I surfed over to that location, found the symlink 'pdftops' pointed over to /usr/bin where the exe sat. I ran it from a command shell, which (of course) gave me the version, usage info, etc. but didn't tell me why it may have failed before- incorrect command, I suppose. I gather this exe is the doohicky that converts my text file into whatever the printer needs in order to spit it out on paper, and something went wrong.

So, now: where and how to find out what went wrong? Is there a folder somewhere where failed commands go to be debugged later, or does it spit out a file from which I could decipher the problem?

I went back into CUPS and nosed around, found the logs, and cracked open the error and access logs. Since I still don't know how to give you a screenshot, here's a clipping from my error log, just the last couple jobs (Geany and AbiWord):

That's got it, I just printed off the first page of this thread to test. Thank you again ever so much... I really would like to learn how to do such things, but I'm no programmer, and I just need the blasted thing to do what I tell it! Your expertise is much appreciated.

Apropos of absolutely nothing, the printer is refusing to cooperate again. It HAD been working, but now when I select File-> Print... or hit CTRL-P, I get the print options window, hit "Print", I get the "Printing xxx..." progress window, and... nothing.

I've tried reinstalling the files suggested here, but no luck. A new wrinkle I just discovered: Since accidentally uninstalling Firefox (foolishly trying to 'clean up old files', didn't think the FF 4.0 entry in PPM meant my FF11.0!), then reinstalling Firefox, I've 'lost' the factory linkset "Browse" that used to be on the desktop. As a result, CUPS does not load into my browser! I get the Help Surfer, which provides links to this forum, and it says a CUPS interface should open in my default browser in "3-30 seconds", but it never does.

What the heck did I do? Any Linux gurus in the Springfield, MO area who will work for beer? Please don't tell me to go back to Microsoft, I couldn't bear the shame...

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